KO and TKO
A knockout occurs when an athlete cannot intelligently defend after legal strikes. A technical knockout covers stoppages by the referee after sustained offense, by a doctor, by the corner, or when a fighter cannot answer the bell. The terms are often mixed in conversation but are separate official results.
Submission and technical submission
A submission comes from a physical tap or verbal surrender. In a technical submission, the referee stops the hold without a conscious tap, for example after unconsciousness or an immediate joint injury.
Unanimous, split and majority decisions
A unanimous decision means all three judges select the same winner. In a split decision, two judges choose one athlete and the third chooses the opponent. In a majority decision, two choose the same winner and the third scores a draw. See MMA scoring explained.
Technical decision and draw
A technical decision can follow when an accidental foul or resulting injury ends a bout after enough time has elapsed for the scorecards to be used. A draw is a tied outcome and can also be unanimous, majority or split.
Disqualification and no contest
Disqualification punishes serious or repeated intentional fouls. A no contest records no winner, such as when an early accidental injury ends a bout before enough time has elapsed for a technical decision. Exact procedures depend on the regulator and ruleset.